England fly-half George Ford has urged his teammates to ensure their commanding 33-19 triumph over New Zealand becomes a launchpad for long-term success rather than a brief moment of brilliance. The win, England’s 10th consecutive victory, lifted them to third in the world rankings and reinforced growing confidence under Steve Borthwick’s leadership.
With Argentina up next and the possibility of climbing to second in the rankings if results elsewhere go their way, Ford emphasised the importance of consistency. He stressed that England must avoid repeating past patterns where big victories were followed by sharp setbacks. The team’s impressive performance at Twickenham was their first home win over the All Blacks in 13 years, but Ford insisted it should represent only the beginning of a sustained rise.
Ford, who delivered a man-of-the-match display and contributed 13 points—including two crucial drop-goals that reversed a 12-0 deficit—said England’s progress is rooted in meticulous preparation and growing belief. He highlighted the team’s improved mindset, noting that proper planning has created a strong, positive feeling within the camp.
Despite notable wins against Ireland and France during Borthwick’s tenure, this latest result stands out as England’s most complete performance under the current coaching setup. Borthwick himself believes the team is far from reaching its full potential. He praised the ambition and hunger within the squad, emphasising that continued development depends on players pushing themselves daily and maintaining high standards in training.
According to Borthwick, the team now possesses a level of composure and resilience that allows them to respond effectively even when trailing on the scoreboard. This mental fortitude, he believes, will be essential as England look to re-establish themselves among the sport’s dominant forces.
Hooker Jamie George also acknowledged the benchmark set by world champions South Africa, describing the Springboks as the team everyone aims to surpass. Although England will not face them this autumn, George noted a potential meeting in June next year. For now, however, the focus remains firmly on Argentina as England seek to turn their statement win into a meaningful winning streak that signals genuine progress.
